Park Donations Fall Short of Goal

Donations to the Washington state park system are sufficient to keep the parks open, but are falling short of the projected goal, according to a new report by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

A law enacted last June requires the state Department of Licensing to include a $5 donation to the state park system on motor vehicle registration applications and renewals.  The donation is collected unless the vehicle owner deducts it from the bill.
The program was designed to raise $1.2 million a month for the park system, but has succeeded in raising only $1.1 million a month.

“So far, the donations are coming in under the line of what’s needed, but we’re squeaking by,” said Rex Derr, the department’s director.  Without the donations, the state would have closed up to 40 parks because of budget cuts. The state park system now gets 30 percent of its operating budget from the general fund, compared to 66 percent previously.  Most of the remainder comes from fees and donations.

Nikki

Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.